The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-28
WASHINGTON.
President Cleveland Accepts An
other Invitation to Visit st.
Louis In October.
Speech of Mayor Francis, and the
Reply of President
Cleveland.

WASHINGTON, July 25.-The White
House presented an animated scene this
afternoon on occasion of the reception of
the delegation from Missouri to invite
the president to visit st. Louis during
the state fair in October. The delega-
tion numbered nearly one hundred per
sons, representing all interests of St.
Louis, as we'll as the principal portions
of the state. 1t was headed by Mayor
Francis, of st. Louis, and included ex-
Governor Campbell, Ex-Governor Brok-
myer, Charles Greene B. N. Anderson,
Mr.. Conley, Robert White, S. @. Majors,
DR.. Gray, Mr.. Roster, j. j. Randall, @.
N. Mitchell, Major G. @. Rainwater, j.
G. Priest, James NJ. Vena (colored), Geo.
Castleman, John S. Moffatt, Col. j. G..
Butler and DR.. A. j. Mullen. Several
ladies also accompanied the party.
The president received them in the
library, and shook hands cordially with
each one of them. Mayor Francis made
the presentation, and when all had been
received, addressed the president as fol-
lows:
"Mr. Presidsnt-It was my fortune sixty
days ago, accompanied by twenty-five
representative citizens of st. Louis, to
supplement- and earnestly endorse, in be-
half of the people of that city, an invita-
ton previously extended to you to attend
the Grand Army of the Republics annual
encam pm ent, to be held in st. Louis during
the last Week of September next. The sue
cess of that mission in eliciting from you a
favorable response was highly gratifying
to the people of st. Louis and Missouri.
The disappointment later, consequent
upon your letter of deciination,
was deep and all = prevailing,
but CO extens sive with it was sentiment of
sincere approval of the patriotic motives
which prompted you to sucn action. Citi-
zens of st. Louis, irrespective of party,
nationality, or race, in mass-meeting as
sembled, the day after your letters were
received, with one voice, enthusi-
astically resolved to extend to yourself
and your estimable wife cordial invita-
tion to visit their city during the
first week in October next, and in
structed their mayor, with committee of
citizens, to convey and deliver the same
in person to you. Assemblages of like char-
acter were promptly held in almost every
county in the state, endorsing and empha-
| BlZluR UuO dOblOh UuhOh ia Nv
Louis. Delegates were appointed
at those meetings to proceed
| to the capital of the nation, and there to
express to the chief executive in the mat
ter, as effective as words and form would
permit, the warmth of greeting which
awaits him from the people of Missouri,
in the metropolis of the state. We are
here, therefore, sir, in obedience to the
mandates of our people, representing all
sections of Missouri-her commercial,
manufacturing and agricultural interests,
ard rejecting the desire of every city,
town and hamlet within her borders, to
urge you and Mrs. Cleveland to
favor us with your presence
This invitation emanates from the people
your sovereigns and ours, and not from
any organization of civil or military, po
litical or religious. 1t is the spontaneous
outburst of community that never suf-
fers its reputation for hospitality to bt
damaged. 1t is vigorous and feeling
protest from generous host against the
absolute declination of a distinguished
guest to be the central figure of an invited
company. The reasons why you should
visit the west are even stronger now
than on the former occasion.
Your reply was favorable one, whether
viewed from our standpoint or your own.
Our appearance before you in largely in
creased plumbers, coming, as we do, from
the most remote sections of the state, fur.
nishes an indication of the feeling pre-
vailing at our homes. The people of the
west revere the high office of chief
magistrate of the nation, and their 10y
atty and the patriotism which character.
ICES your administration, no organization,
however strong, and no occurrence,
however important, will be required to add
interest to the occasion by your presence
The people of Missouri and of the west
will congregate in vast numbers to meei
and welcome you in the commercial
center of the Mississippi valley. We
have designated the first week in October
as the time for your visit, because we
thought that time would be most con
venient and agreeable for you, because ii
is the season when our fall festivities are
at their height; when our trades pageant
gives its nocturnal display; when the mys
terious Yelled Prophet, surrounded with
oriental splendor, makes his annual visit
| When our streets are brilliantly ilumin-
ated by arches of blazing light, and on q
scale of magnifcence never approached
when our exposition and agricultural and
mechanical fair-each the greatest of its
kind on the continent-are in progress,
and because, finally, it is the season when
the sturdy yeomanry of the land, the bull
wark of the republic, and the greatest con.
tributors to its wealth, can, with the least
detriment to their agricultural interests, ,as-
semble in our city to do you honor. If,
however, another time would be better
suited to your inclinations or engage
ments. your welcome would be not less
genuine. The city of st. Louis, the state
of Missouri, and the people of the west
say to the president of the United States
"Honor us with your presence" and to
Grover Cleveland, the honest, fearless
man who so ably fills that high Office
"Come and be our guest"
These remarks we're frequently inter
rupted by applause, references to the
honesty and wisdom of the administra-
ton being loudly cheered.
THE PRESIDENT REPLY.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-In response the
president said:
"My reply to your very complimentary
and hearty address will be very brief and
practical. At the time you did me the
honor, with SO many of your fellow citi'
zens, to invite me to your city, 1 felt il
was an invitation which should not be de-
clined. 1 felt that you had something